Why Is It?
By Harris R. Sherline
July 7, 2008
What's in a name? Everything, it would seem.
Words do have meaning. Consider the following examples of the impact that emotionally charged issues can have when associated with certain words or terms:
- Special interests: Why is it that "special interests" are groups we do not agree with, while those groups we support are like-minded people who have the right values? The tobacco industry is a special interest but the Sierra Club is not. The NRA is a special interest but Planned Parenthood is not. "Big business" is a special interest but organized labor is not.
- Agribusiness: Why is it that farmers are "agribusiness" (read corporate big business) when we want to influence public opinion, but they are just "farmers" when we buy their produce at an open-air market? Farmers are the "agribusiness" when they seek to limit government intrusion in their lives, but they are hard working members of society when they produce the food we eat. One man's "farmer" is another man's agribusiness "special interest."
- Environmentalism: Why is it that "environmentalism" is good no matter how it affects people? Those who want to curb the excesses of such laws as the Endangered Species Act are willing to destroy civilization in the pursuit of profit. Energy generated from fossil fuels and nuclear power is destroying the world and must be prevented, but it's OK to drive or fly to meetings to protest their use. Is there any inconsistency or hypocrisy in that?
- Developers: Why is it that real estate "developers" are unconscionable profiteers who want to rape the land, but contractors are just good folks who build homes for us?
- Big Business: Why is it that the oil, pharmaceutical and auto industries, and business in general, are evil and steal and cheat for profit but most people want the highest paying jobs they offer and the benefits and way of life their products and services make possible?
- Profit: Why is it that the word "profit" is synonymous with greed but demands for higher pay and greater benefits or government largesse are just simple "economic justice" or "fairness"? Profit is greed when it's the other guy's profit but justifiable compensation for hard work and sacrifice when it's ours.
- Free speech: Why is it that "free speech" means I can say anything I want, but you can't say anything I don't like. My right to "free speech" is absolute, yours must be politically correct or you will be punished.
- Segregation: Why is it that "segregation" is against the law and must be prevented, but African-American students on many of our college campuses have been deliberately segregating themselves?
- Racist: Why is it that discrimination against blacks is "racist" but discrimination against whites is not?
- Double jeopardy: Why is it that being tried a second time by the Federal government is not "double jeopardy" under the constitution but being tried twice by the state for the same crime is?
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